This page describes minor characters of the anime and manga Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X.
Names are in Japanese order, with the surname before the given name. The Viz manga uses the Japanese order in Rurouni Kenshin while the English anime uses the Western order.
Other people with whom Kenshin has formed friendships in Tokyo and beyond.
Tsukayama Yūtarō
A rich son of a former samurai, who wants nothing more than to learn swordsmanship. In the manga, he want to be stronger than his father once was, because he was ashamed that his father gave up his sword and became a sword merchant. He learns the basics of Kamiya Kasshin Ryū from Kamiya Kaoru and becomes a rival to Myōjin Yahiko, but then returns to the person he believes to be his true sensei, Raijuta. After Raijūta injures him to the extent where he can't use his right hand, he goes to Germany where they have more advanced medicine.
In Samurai X: Reflection, the concluding series of Samurai X trilogy, Yūtarō comes back and meets his friends again, at the same time still holding his childhood rivalry with Yahiko even as they are grown men.
Tsukioka Tsunan
Tsukioka Katsuhiro, later Tsukioka Tsunan, was a survivor of the Sekihō Army after it was disbanded by the government. Called Katsu by Sanosuke, Tsunan became an artist after the Restoration. He is an expert at explosive weapons and gunpowder, and intends to use them. Later in the series, Sano and Katsu try to embark on a terrorist campaign against the Meiji government, but are stopped by Kenshin. Since then, Katsu buried his bombs and became a journalist for an anti-government newsletter. Later on in the series, he becomes a valuable source of information for Kenshin and Sanosuke.
Hiko Seijurō XIII
The Thirteenth successor to the sword art of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū, Hiko Seijurō saved Shinta from marauding bandits who killed his caretakers. Hiko then took care of Shinta, and named him Kenshin ("Heart of Sword"). He became angry and disappointed with Kenshin, because he ran away to join the rebellion against the Tokugawa regime. Hiko knew the tragedy of not completing Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū; people with such power tend to get into things they shouldn't and from it blossoms tragedy; what happened to Kenshin happened to him, as well. That is why he shut himself away from the rest of the world; he lives as a potter close to the forest near Kyoto. He also realizes the fact that the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū no longer seems relevant in the changing world, as he remarks to Yahiko: "The only thing that doesn't seem to change is the moon." Hiko is perhaps the strongest swordsman around; he is superior, even to Kenshin. Although the two are comparable in speed, Hiko possesses a superior sense of judgement in combat and the superhuman strength (hidden underneath his cloak) to wield Hiten Mitsurugi Ryū to its maximum. Hiko's favourite technique is Kuzu Ryū Sen. After thirteen years, master and student meet once more. It is then that Kenshin will complete his training, if Kenshin can survive Hiko's ego.
Himura Kenji
Kenshin and Kaoru's son. In the manga the reader only gets a glimpse of him. Kenji tends to take a liking to his mother more than his father and enjoys to pull on Kenshin's hair. In SeisōHen/Reflection he is a teenager. He despises his father for always leaving Kaoru's side and has left them to begin training with Hiko Seijurō XIII to learn Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū. Until Yahiko shows up one night and shows him otherwise, Kenji believes that it is all right to kill people. In the end, he was given the sakabatō as a late Genpuku present. Kenji settles down with Raikōji Chizuru, who originates from Watsuki's original short stories; this girl, strangely enough, bears a striking resemblance to his mother..
Sagara Sōzō
An actual person, Sagara Sōzō was captain of the Sekihō. Sanosuke looked up to him greatly; he was, to Sanosuke, the ideal role model. Was killed when the Meiji government purged the Sekihō, leading to Sanosuke's embitterment towards it. His head was place on a platform and in a cage for all to see, it haunts Sano still to this very day.
Sekihara Tae
The manager of the hot beef pot restaurant, the Akabeko. She has a twin sister named Sae managing in a similar restaurant in Kyoto. Sanosuke also owes her a seemingly large sum of money in which interest is accounted for. She has also tried to push the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru since it seemed it to her that it wasn't going anywhere.
Sanjō Tsubame
Helps Tae at the restaurant, and is Yahiko's sweetheart. She was saved by him from a group of men who claimed she owed them money. In Seisouhen, we see that they become a couple. She is very shy and softspoken.
Dr. Genzai
A venerable old doctor and friend of the Kamiya Dojo, he often offers treatment or advice early in the series. In the television show, he is the grandfather of two impossibly cute little girls (Genzai Ayame and Genzai Suzume) who also like hanging around the Dojo. After the group meets Takani Megumi , he offers her training and lets her take over his clinic when on vacation or out collecting herbs.
Genzai Ayame
Nonexistent in the manga. Ayame is the older of the two siblings.
Genzai Suzume
Nonexistent in the manga. The younger of the two.
Oniwabanshū
The Oniwanbanshu were the protectors of Edo Castle during the Edo period. In Rurouni Kenshin, they are comprised of the following members:
Makimachi Misao
Originally raised by Shinomori Aoshi (the leader of the group) as a daughter, she is not biologically related. She treats him as a father figure, as well as the other male characters (to some extent) in the Oniwabanshū. At some point in her childhood, Aoshi hands over custody of her to former Oniwabanshū member Okina (Kashiwazaki Nenji), in order to have a safe and normal childhood. Misao therefore has abandonment issues, and upon growing older (she is approximately 16 during the series) begins searching Japan for Aoshi and the other members of the Oniwabanshū. She idealizes them and does not realize that many others see them as murderers and criminals. She also has a romantic crush on Aoshi.
She is trained as a ninja and uses Kunai (throwing knives) as her weapon.
Upon meeting Himura Kenshin, she learns that he may know the whereabouts of the Oniwabanshū and becomes a member of his 'group' (Kenshin Gumi).
Nicknamed "Itachi musume", or "weasel girl" by Saitō.
Kashiwazaki Nenji (Okina)
Former leader of the Oniwabanshū. He is a strong fighter and a talented strategist. Upon retiring, he gave up his fighting ways (although he was seen fighting Aoshi) and now lives peacefully in Kyoto at the Aoiya, the headquarters of the Oniwabanshū (which is now a hotel), where he raised Misao. Although old, he still possesses a quick mind and tends to like drinking games.
Shinomori Aoshi
Leader of the Oniwabanshu|Oniwabanshū, and successor to Kashiwazaki Nenji (Okina).
Aoshi was very gifted as a young man, becoming the leader of the Oniwabanshu at the mere age of 15.
Aoshi, once kindhearted, even raising Makimachi Misao as his daughter, now seeks to prove that the Oniwabanshū were the strongest during the times of the Revolution, as they were unable to fight at a pivotal battle during The Battle of Toba Fushimi.
A dangerous opponent, he uses his speed together with a mix of sword and hand-to-hand combat moves called Kenpo. He joined with Kanryu as 'muscle' in his drug manufacturing operation, and then came face to face with Kenshin trying to rescue Takani Megumi . He was betrayed by Kanryu who killed the rest of the Oniwabanshū with a gatling gun.
After the defeat of the rest of the Oniwabanshū, Aoshi hides in the mountains where he has buried his friends' heads (in the manga at least) and there he stays until Shishio tests his strength. Afterwards, he then heads to Tokyo to find and kill Kenshin only to learn he has left to Kyoto. Once in Kyoto he joins with Shishio in hopes of fighting Kenshin and even fights his old friend to try and learn the location of him (but fails to get the location).
Towards the end of the Kyoto Arc, the most-anticipated battle arrives and Kenshin fights Aoshi. He is saved from his own madness by Kenshin, as he realizes that death is not the answer to his situation. To put an end to the feud and see who is truly the strongest, both decide to use their strongest attacks (their succession attacks, or "ōgi") and Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki defeats him.
He later appears to fight against Shishio to buy time for Kenshin (to recover). He later re-appears in the filler arcs, though he takes no major role.
In the Jinchū Arc (manga only), he joins Kenshin's side to fight Wu Heishin (a man who serves Enishi)'s group of bodyguards, known as the Sushin, so that Kenshin can rest and fight Enishi at full strength.
Aoshi uses the Kodachi Nittō Ryū style based around the Kodachi swords he uses to fight. The style mostly consists of attacks with a Kodachi in each hand. His techniques are:
Kodachi Nittō Ryū: Aoshi uses this cross-shaped slash when he is opposed by something he can't cut. He strikes with the first blade and then with the second blade perpendicular (hence the cross shape) to the first. This attack has been witnessed to cut Okina's metal tonfan (kempo attack stick, similar to a police baton) with ease.
Kaiten Kenbu: Aoshi claims to use this attack on "all who intruded upon Edo castle". It involves Aoshi rapidly spinning around three times to slash the opponent thrice across the chest. Aoshi usually uses this attack after disorienting the opponent with Ososugi de Ugoki.
Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren: This attack is Aoshi's ōgi. The attack involves Aoshi switching the grip of one of his kodachi backward, then running forward to slash the opponent six times. It is basically Kaiten Kenbu but done with two kodachi.
Onmyou Hasshi: Aoshi throws both kodachi straight at the opponent, however, the second kodachi is hidden directly behind the first. So the opponent would only see one kodachi heading for him/her in their line of sight.
Ososugi de Ugoki: This is moving technique where Aoshi moves fast and silently. He does so in such a way that he confuses his opponent. He used this to attack Kenshin and tried to use it against Okina, but latter being a ninja, probably was familiarized with the attack. It looks as if many images of Aoshi started spinning around the opponent.
Han'nya
Han'nya is the second in command of the Oniwabanshu, being a direct pupil of Aoshi.
Han'nya is the master of disguise within the group, an ability he gained by cutting off all his prominent facial features (lips, nose, and eyelids), which is why he wears the demonic mask on his face.
As Aoshi was the only one to look past his gruesome appearance and train him without discrimination, he is very loyal to him, and would die for him, as was proven at the end of the Kanryū arc, giving his life to allow Kenshin enough time to retrieve his sakabatō to defeat Kanryū and save Aoshi.
Han'nya's style of combat evolves primarily from his discipline from Aoshi. However, he adds his own bit to it by having painted his arms in vertical stripes, giving them the appearance of being shorter than they actually are, thus luring opponents into a false sense of security regarding distance of attacks. Kenshin defeats this tactic by using the sakabato in a manner to act as a ruler of sorts, allowing him to see through the optical illusion.
Hyottoko
Hyottoko is one of the Oniwabanshū members that decided to go with Aoshi when he left Okina caring for Misao. His massive belly makes him nearly impervious to direct physical attacks.
Hyottoko mainly breathes fire at his opponents, by means of a large oil bag he keeps stored in his stomach and a nozzle he keeps in his mouth. He lights the flames by using his front teeth, which he replaced with flint.
He died at Kanryu's hand, protecting Aoshi from the gatling gun.
Shikijō
One of the Oniwabanshū members. Shikijō was a soldier for the Satsuma faction until he was beaten by Aoshi, who gave him a chance to join up with the Oniwabanshū and gained strength using Oniwabanshū training methods. Has "steel" muscles.
Beshimi
One of the weaker members of the Oniwabanshū, Beshimi is a small ninja (onmitsu) who tends to use spiral throwing darts. Sometimes with the poison on them (like when he hit Yahiko)
Kenshin's opponents
Bad guys Kenshin meets throughout the Rurouni series.
Japanese Seiyuu: Hirotaka Suzuoki
English Voice Actor: Sparky Thornton
A former leader of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi, an extremely powerful loyalist faction in Kyoto during the time of the Bakumatsu war. Now a policeman working for the Meiji Government. Extremely strong and vicious, he has a long time rivalry with Kenshin. He was responsible for foiling the Choshu movement, although he failed to prevent the Kyoto Holocaust, and, ultimately, the victory of the Ishin Shishi. He has no compassion or mercy for anyone. He lives by the Shinsengumi code "Aku Soku Zan"("Swift Death To Evil"). He believes in peace and order, even in the society created by his enemies. Anyone he considers to be evil is a target for elimination. He is an agent of the destruction of corrupt political elements in Japan. He considers Sanosuke to be a child with mild potential, due to Sanosuke's lack of insight.
Saitō Hajime was an actual historic figure of this era, and a number of details presented on his character are based on fact. Saito is an excellent warrior, as he is an able observer and a quick analyst. Saito, as he describes to Usui, has his own 'Shingan' - 'Mind Eye.' Saito is a master of the standard Shinsengumi style, Migozuchi Haitō-ryū. It consists of the techniques of Gatotsu - the Fang Stab. The four standard techniques are Ichiki - First Stance (standard level ground), Nishiki - Second Stance (attacking from the air toward the ground), Sanshiki - Third Stance (attacking from the ground toward the air), and his succession technique, Ougi - Zero Stance (attacking at point-blank range). He is married to Tokio Takagi , the daughter of a daimyō.
Udō Jin-e
Jin-e was also an assassin during the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He is remarkably bloodthirsty, and serves his victims advance warning of their impending doom. He then kills them exactly on time no matter what preparations they have made in their defense. He possesses a technique, known as Shin no Ippō, where he immobilizes people with a glance. The mentalist can also use it to hypnotise himself and summon some extra inner strength.
He longs to face Kenshin to see who is the stronger.
Takeda Kanryū
A cunning money-minded man who started the opium dealing business in Tokyo by forcing Takami Megumi to make the drug. His opium business is to generate profits to bring in modern Westernized weapons such as the Gatling gun. When Himura Kenshin shows up to save her, he finds himself demoted by Shinomori Aoshi. He resorts to using his Gatling gun to kill everyone in his home. He manages to kill four of the Oniwabanshū who died protecting Shinomori Aoshi.
Isurugi Raijūta
Leader of the 'Knights of Shinkoryu' faction, Raijūta aspires to take over Japan with a rebel group of Samurai, starting at Tsukuyama Yūtarō's home in the province of Izu by using Yūtarō's admiration of Raijūta to his advantage. Although he appears to be a tough fighter, proficient in the Shinkoryu Izuna style, the Izuna techniques are all show and no true power. Although he severed the nerves in Yūtarō's right arm, he could only scratch Kenshin. Two of Raijūta's techniques are demonstrated in the series. The first is Matoi Izuna (Wrapping Around Rice Paper), which is a strike directed along the ground, similar to Kenshin's Do Ryu Sen. The second is Tobi Izuna (Flying Rice Rope), in which the sword creates a vacuum in the air, and directed towards its target. It's largely ineffective, despite his claim that it's his 'ultimate killing technique'.
The Juppon Gatana
The Juppongatana (Ten Swords) is the elite group of swordsmen organized by Hoji that are fighting beside Shishio against the Meiji government.
Shishio Makoto
Japanese Seiyuu: Masanori Ikeda
English Voice Actor: David Lucas
The successor to Kenshin after he became a wanderer. Shishio handled assassinations since Tomoe's death. He was responsible for the murder of Izuka, the man who had sold Kenshin. He was very secretive about himself, even more so than Kenshin; not even did members of the Choshu or Satsuma clans know a great deal about him. He was extremely clever and ambitious, believing himself to be the future leader of Japan. After the revolution, the government attempted to silence him to prevent his activities from being used against it. Shishio was shot in the head and burned alive by the Meiji government, but he survived. Afterwards, he swore revenge and assembled a group of the best swordsmen in Japan, called the Juppongatana, to overthrow the new government, but Kenshin, Saitō, Sanosuke, Kaoru, Yahiko and the Oniwabanshū rallied against his plan. Shishio envisioned a Japan ruled by him, enforcing the principles of natural selection. He also wanted to strengthen the economy with petroleum. He uses a sword with a serrated blade called Mugenjin which is soaked in the oil of the victims he had killed. Thus, he is able to execute fire-oriented techniques. He, like Kenshin, is able to register his opponent's techniques, and could then analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and then take advantage of them. His speed is good, but his strength is monstrous. His weakpoint, however, is his medical condition. Due to the intense burns he received, his sweat glands and pores were sealed shut. He, therefore, has an elevated body temperature due to his lack of sweat as a cooling mechanism. As a result, he could fight for no more than fifteen minutes, otherwise he would die - combust from the elevated body temperature igniting his body fat. Shishio fervently believes in natural selection - "If You are Strong You'll Live, If You are Weak You'll Die, and moulded an ideological disciple out of Sōjirō. He is also the lover of Komagata Yumi.
Here are some of his best techniques:
Homura Dama (Fire Ball): His first secret attack. He draws his sword on the ground, igniting it. It's only a trick to distract the opponent from his upward swing.
Guren Kaina (Scarlet Lotus Arm): Shishio ignites his sword, draws it on his left glove, containing hidden gunpower. The resulting friction results in an explosion.
Kagutsuchi (Fire Cliff Spirit God): Shishio ignites the entire length of his sword by running its edge against the sheath, creating a massive vortex of flame around the sword. He then delivers a downwards cut meant to incinerate his opponent.
Seta Sōjirō
Seta Sōjirō is a teenage assassin, trained by the master mankiller Shishio Makoto. Sōjirō is famous for his lack of battle aura, or, simply, emotion. He expresses no anger, cites no fear in his enemies, other than with his sword. His constant, sweet, smiling face and kind manners stem from his tragic past. The son of a prostitute, Sōjirō's father left him in the care of his family, who badly mistreated him because he was the child of a whore. He was assigned tasks such as carrying rice to and from the family warehouse. Sōjirō built a defense against their lashings at him; he put on an optimistic face, and became used to the torture. Then, they would leave him alone. One night, he met Shishio, who was on the run from the police. Shishio taught Sōjirō that only the strong may live. With that mentality, Sōjirō slaughtered his oppressors, who had tried to murder him for housing a branded killer. Although he's not particularly bright, Sōjirō's apparent lack of emotion and his simple, insensitive mentality, "The strong live, the weak just die," and his skills make him a formidable foe to Kenshin. Sōjirō wields the legendary sword Nagasone Kotetsu, and is already master of the style Tenbu no Sai Niyoru Ken. The Shukuchi utilizes such powerful speed that, to an observer, it appears that the distance between the two fighters has shrunk (hence the name Shukuchi "reduced earth"). During his fight with Kenshin, Sōjirō continually states he's only moving "three steps below Shukuchi" or "two steps below shukuchi." While moving at this speed, the only thing that could be seen was Soujirou's footsteps ripping through the tatami mat. While doing the true Shukuchi, Sōjiro simply cannot be seen, even by Kenshin.
He is also well versed in the Battōjutsu style, like Kenshin. His ability has earned Sōjirō the title of Tenken or Heavenly Sword (Ten meaning Heaven and Ken meaning Sword). Combining true Shukuchi with the Battōjutsu he has created his only other named technique, Shun Ten Satsu (Instant Heaven Murder). It is named this because the speed behind the attack is so swift that "there isn't an instant even to feel the pain." The speed behind the Shun Ten Satsu completely equals to that of Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. In terms of power however, it is slightly weaker than the Hiten Mitsurugi ougi.
Komagata Yumi
At the fall of the Shogunate, Komagata Yumi was a deiran, an expensive prostitute. Despite that, she is intelligent, dignified, well-cultured, and was brought up in a comfortable life. She was always interested in social issues and occurrences in Japan, and she reviled the lack of opinion amongst the Japanese people regarding the new rulership. She came to love Makoto Shishio with an utmost passion, which he returned. Thus, she joined Shishio's conspiracy to bring down the Meiji government. She is constantly concerned about Shishio's medical state. And, even though she loved the Meiji era's devil, Yumi is kind and feels justified. She also became Sōjirō's best friend, and cares for him dearly.
Sawagejo Chō
Japanese Seiyuu: Fukumoto Shinichi
English Voice Actor: Derek Stephen Prince
Also known as 'The Sword Hunter', Chō possesses quite a collection of rare and unusual swords, including a long flexible sword he keeps hidden around his waist. He is only a mediocre opponent when not using this exotic weapon. He has a very calm and cool exterior, and normally keeps one eye closed when talking, and only opens both eyes when excited in the heat of battle. His fighting style is determined by the sword he uses, but he mainly uses the style Garyuorochi. The first is Orochi (Eight-Headed Hydra), in which Chō bounces his sword, Hakujin no Tachi (The Thin One) on the ground in waves. He uses Sakasa Kuchu Nōtō (Mid-air Sheathing) on Seiku's son Idori to locate the final sword of Shaku which was placed in a temple as a godsword.
Unuma Usui
'The Blind Swordsman', Usui was made into a formidable fighter after being blinded in a fight with Shishio Makoto. He possesses 'Eye of Heart', which actually is superhuman hearing that lets him hear another's heartbeat thus enabling him to sense people around him and detect the emotions of others. Although he seems to hate Shishio Makoto, he actually thanks him for enabling the use of his enhanced ability of the Eye of Heart. Usui and Shishio made a deal, that they would fight again. Saito points out that he won't win, and that Usui knows it deep down. The psychopath likes to kill people weaker than himself to boost his ego. His goal is to kill a thousand people. He fights using a short spear with a weighted end - the rochin, and a tortoise shell, timbei, as a shield. His fighting style is Ryuukyuu, and there are two techniques he uses in the fight against Saito. The first is Bouken Bougyoku Hyakka Ryouran (Treasure Sword, Treasure Sphere, Hundred Flower, Silver Chaos)- which is a series of rapid thrusts with the spear's point and ball, and, of couse, Shingan, the 'Eye of Heart'.
Hariwa Hennya
Known as Hennya the Flight, he aided the attack of the Aoiya, the Kyoto secret headquarters of the Oniwabanshū, with four other Juppongatana members. He uses bombs to attack and also to lift him into flight. Yahiko defeated Hennya by attempting to use the Ryu Tsui Sen that he has often seen Kenshin use. Later on, he is used as a government spy because of his aviation abilities.
Sadojima Houji
Houji is Shishio's lapdog, and, aside from Yumi and Soujiro, he is closest to him. Houji, too, envisions Japan as a mighty power led by Shishio, ruling with the principles of basic animal survival. Houji is indeed unique; although he is not proficient in any fighting style, he is a cunning organizer and possesses frightening leadership qualities. Houji was 'baptized' by Shishio's intense body heat to kindle in him a belief in hell. Houji will follow Shishio anywhere, even to the depths of hell...
Yukyuzan Anji
Anji is a warrior-monk who fights along Shishio to destroy the Meiji government who did nothing to stop the anti-Buddhist purge which destroyed his home and loved ones. He has dedicated himself to total destruction of the current system, and is willing to side with evil to achieve this. He is the most merciful of the Juppongatana and has made a contract with Shishio that Anji decides whether someone lives or dies. He does not use a blade directly in combat, instead utilizing 'Futae no Kiwami' (Double Layer Limit) to strike the blade into the ground to attack from a distance, or more usually directly with his fists. He is enormously strong and has trained his entire body into a killing weapon. Upon meeting Sagara Sanosuke, he teaches him his secret technique, without realizing Sanosuke is allied with Kenshin. Normally when a person punches an object resistance is made caused by the object. To make sure that this leftover power isn't wasted, the person will hit with the knuckles then a second hit with the rest of the fist is made within 1/64th of a second causing the object to shatter. That is the power of the 'Futae no Kiwami'.
Honjō Kamatari
This character is a case of 'Miriam-ism' here. Although Kamatari appears to be a woman, she is not; she is in fact a man. And yet, Kamatari is so good at being a woman (hormone therapy did not exist in 1878). Kamatari uses a very heavy scythe-like weapon, a reaper, with a chain ball on the butt of the weapon; this is called Ogama. She was defeated by the combined efforts of Kaoru and Misao on the attack against the Aoiya. He/she practices Honjōryu, and three of her special techniques are seen in the series. Midare Benten (Chaotic Benten) is when the scythe is whipped over his/her head, and the chain forms a sphere.
Iwanbo
Iwanbo is one of Shishio's Juppon Gatana. He is a fat oaf who uses his immense size, his strength, and his ability to entrap weapons in his flab. He is very stupid, and, apart from taking part in the battle of Aoiya against Kaoru, Yahiko, Misao, Jiya and the Oniwa Banshu as well as grinning like an utter idiot, he doesn't say anything, and he doesn't do anything. He was last seen on a cliff outside of Kyoto.
As revealed in the Jinchū, or "Revenge" (though it better translates to "Earthly Justice") arc of the manga, (which was sadly never animated in its true form), Iwanbo is in reality a mechanical puppet, a primitive mech, if you will, controlled by Gein, the puppetmaster. His only purpose in the Kyoto arc was to gather information about the Kenshingumi. Gein reappears in this arc as one of the six comerades in a more dangerous form of Iwanbo and plays a major role in Enishi's revenge.
Saizuchi Rōjin
A cunning small old man who manipulates Fuji.
Fuji
A giant. Considered a freak by everyone around him, the gentle Fuji became depressed, in an ideal state for Saizuchi to manipulate his emotions and turn him into an unbelievable fighter.
The leaders of the Christian movement of Shimabara.
Amakusa Shōgo
Claimed to be the Son of God in order to protect the people of Shimabara. He is one of the few people that knows the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū other than Kenshin and Hiko. His uncle learned the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū from Hiko Seijuro XII but failed to learn the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki against his master's Kuzu Ryu Sen which resulted in him being knocked into a waterfall. His uncle survived and later taught the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū to Shōgo. He was the only person to add on a move to the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū; the Rai Ryu Sen, which is a technique that manipulates light reflected on his sword in order to blind his opponent. Both Kenshin (though temporarily) and Shōgo's uncle was blinded by this attack. His parents were killed for being hidden Christians who at the time told Shōgo to be strong like God and to protect people of Shimabara. He and his sister moved to Europe with his uncle after his parents were killed. It was there that he learned astrology and medicine and later used that knowledge in Shimabara to predict major events and cure diseases. Because of that knowledge, people believed that he was performing "miracles" which led to further "evidence" for him being the Son of God. His plans were to make Japan into the land of God where the people could live peacefully without fear of being persecuted but he was manipulated by Kaiō.
Amakusa Sayo
Shōgo's younger sister a.ka. Magdelia (her Christian name). Her real name 'Sayo' is not revealed until later in the battle between Shōgo and Kenshin. Sayo is a deeply religious Christian who cares and teaches children about the Christian faith. However, she is dying from consumption when she finally realizes and learns about the nature of life from Sagara Sanosuke.
Kaiō
This weird, bald, caped batty geezer is a treacherous, manipulative guy who uses Shōgo to push his secret plan of annexing Japan to the Netherlands.
Shōzo Lorenz (Rorenzo)
Characters from the Samurai X OVA
People that haunt Kenshin's memories of the Bakufu.
Yukishiro Tomoe was employed by the Shogun spies to kill Kenshin for the murder of her lover, Kiyosato Akira. Tomoe meets and befriends Kenshin, torn and her assignment to kill the Battōsai, and her growing feelings for the young assassin. After the holocaust of Kyoto and the destruction of the Choshu clan, Katsura assigned Tomoe and Kenshin to live as husband and wife in hiding in the mountains. Over the coming months, Tomoe taught Kenshin the way of living as a civilian, but as the conflicts heated up, Tomoe went to the waiting Shogun assassins in order to save Kenshin. Realizing that her feelings for Kenshin were being used to the advantage of his assailants, she throws herself in front of Kenshin's opponent in order to disorientate him, thus giving Kenshin the upper hand in the fight. But she dies as a result of the action she took. From that day forward, Kenshin was burdened with the lives of everyone in Japan - especially those he had taken.
Yukishiro Enishi
Yukishiro Enishi is Tomoe's little brother. He loves her very much, since he lost his mother and his father was ill. He loves her so much that he becomes consumed by his selfishness to bring her back to Tokyo, then Edo, so they could be together. At the age of thirteen or so, Enishi runs away from Edo, and is gone for seven months. He discovers the location of Tomoe through the Shogun agency, and works with the Shogun spies to kill Kenshin in revenge for butchering Tomoe's lover, Kiyosato. After witnessing Kenshin's accidental killing of Tomoe, Enishi swears Jinchū, or 'Man's Punishment,' to be brought down on Kenshin's head. He meets him again almost twenty years later, with four gifts: A technique to defeat Kenshin's Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū, a Chinese war sword, a kidnapped Kaoru, and white hair, the result of years of stressful mourning for his sister.
Enishi is the main antagonist of the Jinchū arc of the manga, which Seisōhen is roughly based on. His style is Watōjutsu, a fusion of Chinese and Japanese technique. To many fans, Seisōhen was a disappointment due to the omission of major details of the Jinchū arc, trying to smash it in one hour of time and adding in extra events.
Here are some of his best Watōjutsu techniques.
Shūgeki Tō Sei: Enishi kicks the flat side of the blade to increase speed and force of the strike.
Kaishi Tō Sei: This is a rapid thrust attack.
Sen Ran Tō Sei:
Katsura Kogorō was the leader of the Choshu clan. He worked hard to bring down the Shogunate. Katsura was an intelligent, wise and calculating man. He pitied Kenshin's emotional struggle between the old Shinta and the unrepentant Battousai. So, he saved his life by asking Tomoe to become his 'sheath', and he saved Kenshin again near the end of the war. He did this by assigning the young assassin the task of being a fighter instead of a hitman. In turn, he was replaced by Shishio. He did not want Kenshin to suffer the latter hitokiri's fate of being executed for knowing too many secrets. Upon the accession of the Meiji government, Katsura became one of the three Ishin Sanketsu. He died close to the same time of Saigō's demise, in 1876.
A master swordsman of the Shinsengumi at the age of fifteen, Okita was capitain of Shinsen Gumi's First Troop. He often fought together with Saito against Kenshin. Okita was involved with the Ikedaya Affair and killed numerous Choshu clansmen in Kyoto. He succumbed to tuberculosis shortly after the fall of the Tokugawa regime.
Iizuka
Iizuka was the field examiner for the Choshu clan. He was responsible recording the group's kills. Laid back, a joker, and easy going, Iizuka was in fact a greedy double agent, working for the Tokugawa shogunate. He was a contributing factor in plotting the downfall of Hitokiri Battousai - Himura Kenshin. Iizuka attempted to skip country as soon as the trap was in place, but was murdered by Shishio Makoto in an alleyway.
Murakami
Nicknamed "Rensato", Murakami was the first Yaminobu (western-based ninja like the Oniwabanshū) Kenshin encountered. He ambushed Kenshin from the rooftops as he made his way back to the Choshu headquarters. Murakami possessed quick reflexes and was skilled with his chain, but ultimately, Kenshin made a rain of blood when he sliced the ninja in half as he sailed over the assassin's head.
Kiyosato Akira
Tomoe's dead fiance. He was a bodyguard for the Kyoto administrator, Shigekura Jūbei. He and Tomoe were childhood sweethearts, and they planned to get married. This kind and caring man was butchered by Kenshin in a Kyoto street. It was all due to the tragedy of human folly; Akira only became a bodyguard so that Tomoe could look at him as a hero. Instead, she ended up seeing him deceased.
Sumita
Sumita was another Shogun ninja out for Kenshin during the plot to kill him in the forest. Kenshin had already lost his hearing, and was forced to fight Sumita and Mumyouni. Although Sumita fought well with his axe, he was run thorugh the chest. He stumbed away, pulled another mine, and Kenshin lost his eyesight due to the flash.
Yatsume Mumoyouni
Tatsumi
Nakajo
Characters from the Samurai X: The Motion Picture
Characters Kenshin and his friends meet in Yokohama in the movie.
Takatsuki Toki
Toki was Gentatsu's sister whom Shigure took in after her brother's death. She is in love with Shigure.
Takatsuki Gentatsu
Gentatsu was Shigure's second-in-command, and possessed a keen sense of insight. After a disagreement involving an attack location, Gentatsu and Shigure split their army in two. Gentatsu was killed by Kenshin's Hiten Mitsurugi during the raid, just as Shigure arrived.
Takimi Shigure
Shigure led a rebel army made up of disgruntled samurai who fought on all sides during the Shogitai, Aizu, Hakodate and the Boshin wars. Shigure was from Aizu, and fought there, as the Oniwabanshū did, for the shogunate. During Bakumatsu, Shigure went around to the homes of the victims of these wars and gave them financial support. Shigure wanted to overthrow the Meiji government. He believed that the government was corrupt and did not distribute enough wealth among the population. In Tokyo, his band's first objective was to kill the British Guest of State during a parade to the embassy. Shigure was an idealistic and kind man, and a good orator as well as fighter. He is a master of the style Saiki Kanuma, a discipline most effective indoors, and in the dark.
Tamono Eibin
A captain in the Japanese army, Tamono aspires to replace General Yamagata as the Lord of the Imperial army. He is a ruthless man who is not afraid to shed a lot of blood. Tamono believes that nobility in battle is unsuited to modern times. The captain collaborates with Kajiki to destroy Takimi's rebellion and disgrace Yamagata so he can gain the position of army commander. However, thanks to Kenshin, he was arrested.
Musashino
Musashino is a young skilled swordsman who is part of Takimi's rebel group. He becomes friends with Yahiko after learning that both their fathers died together at the Battle of the Keneiji Temple during the Boshin War. Musashino teaches Yahiko some of his budo before he was killed at the battle at the British Embassy in Tokyo.
Kajiki Sadashiro
Leaders
People Kenshin knows in high places.
General Aritomo Yamagata, a former Choshu clansleader, is the commander-in-chief of the Japanese imperial army and the minister of war. Yamagata was a real person, and an important Meiji statesman; he was also the first Prime Minister under the Meiji constitution of 1889. With his modern army, he defeated the samurai uprising led by Saigō Takamori. He died in 1922. The general appears a few times in the series; the first was in episode three, when he sought Kenshin's skills in the new army. They also meet in the Samurai X movie during Takimi Shigure's uprising, and for the last time in Seihousen, in the immediate aftermath of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895.
Ōkubo was one of the five Ishin Shishi - Men of Spirit and the last of the three to have the highest honors in the government. He outlived Katsura and Saigō Takamori. He was a leader of the Satsuma clan, who supported the restoration of imperial power. He was responsible for the suppression of the Satsuma rebellion in 1877, led by Ōkubo's college friend, Saigō Takamori. In Rurouni Kenshin, Ōkubo appears to Kenshin for help in the Shishio crisis. In real life, Okubo was murdered by six discontented clansmen on his way to Tokyo on May 14, 1878. In the Kenshin series, it was Sōjirō who murdered him; the clansmen merely took responsibility.
Detective Muraki
Superintendent Kawaji (Kawaji Toshiyoshi)
Ambassador Elsten
